The county lost a bid to intervene in the tribe's federal recognition lawsuit.
The county is asking the 9th Circuit Court of
Appeals to rejoin the case but in the meantime officials reportedly told Washburn that their position is only Congress can acknowledge an Indian tribe.

The tribe was listed for termination by an act of Congress in 1959. The lawsuit claims the process wasn't carried lawfully out but a settlement with the Obama administration could restore the tribe's status.